Diver, safari or rubberclad?

[tommy91]

This will be my first AP, I take it the diver will be more robust than the rubberclad due to the non chrono on the diver? I don't 'baby' any of my watches which is why it has taken me so long to pull the trigger, I have had few freinds that have had problems with AP chrono models while playing light sport. Pros for and against and your view on both would be great. Aesthetically I am favouring the rubber clad or safari over the diver, but feel the diver is better suited for my lifestyle, thanks.

[AshAP]

If you don’t baby your watches then I definitely wouldn’t recommend a rubberclad. The rubber is only a thin covering over the metal bezel so if you knock it badly then the rubber can tear or show damage. Also when the bezel is new it has a Matt finish but over time this goes shiny no matter how careful you are.

I’ve owned the rubberclad from new so I have some experience with it, I’ve also owned a Diver from new and I personally prefer that watch, IMO comparing the two models together I think the rubberclad looks a little dated but not in a bad way, it just looks like a classic offshore. One thing to consider if you really prefer the rubberclad, AP will exchange the rubber bezel for a ceramic one and this is just about the only model where AP will do this, in fact they only started to offer it because of the limited lifespan of the rubber bezel.

A friend of mine has owned 2 Divers from new, he loves them and wears them for skiing, swimming and motor biking & with a suit. His first one looked quite beaten up but it never had any mechanical issues until it was about 8 years old. At that point he had it serviced and it came back just like a new watch.

The safari is also a great watch.


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[tommy91]

Originally Posted by AshAP

If you don’t baby your watches then I definitely wouldn’t recommend a rubberclad. The rubber is only a thin covering over the metal bezel so if you knock it badly then the rubber can tear or show damage. Also when the bezel is new it has a Matt finish but over time this goes shiny no matter how careful you are.

I’ve owned the rubberclad from new so I have some experience with it, I’ve also owned a Diver from new and I personally prefer that watch, IMO comparing the two models together I think the rubberclad looks a little dated but not in a bad way, it just looks like a classic offshore. One thing to consider if you really prefer the rubberclad, AP will exchange the rubber bezel for a ceramic one and this is just about the only model where AP will do this, in fact they only started to offer it because of the limited lifespan of the rubber bezel.

A friend of mine has owned 2 Divers from new, he loves them and wears them for skiing, swimming and motor biking & with a suit. His first one looked quite beaten up but it never had any mechanical issues until it was about 8 years old. At that point he had it serviced and it came back just like a new watch.

The safari is also a great watch.


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Thanks that is great info, interesting they will swap the rubber to ceramic, going to have a search for images. From what your saying though and as I thought i think the diver will be best for me

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by AshAP

If you don’t baby your watches then I definitely wouldn’t recommend a rubberclad. The rubber is only a thin covering over the metal bezel so if you knock it badly then the rubber can tear or show damage. Also when the bezel is new it has a Matt finish but over time this goes shiny no matter how careful you are.

I’ve owned the rubberclad from new so I have some experience with it, I’ve also owned a Diver from new and I personally prefer that watch, IMO comparing the two models together I think the rubberclad looks a little dated but not in a bad way, it just looks like a classic offshore. One thing to consider if you really prefer the rubberclad, AP will exchange the rubber bezel for a ceramic one and this is just about the only model where AP will do this, in fact they only started to offer it because of the limited lifespan of the rubber bezel.

A friend of mine has owned 2 Divers from new, he loves them and wears them for skiing, swimming and motor biking & with a suit. His first one looked quite beaten up but it never had any mechanical issues until it was about 8 years old. At that point he had it serviced and it came back just like a new watch.

The safari is also a great watch.


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Didn’t know AP would swap bezels ... makes it a serious contender! I also love the classic cream dial safari. Very underrated.

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by masterserg

Didn’t know AP would swap bezels ... makes it a serious contender! I also love the classic cream dial safari. Very underrated.

I only found out when I sent my rgrc in for service and they offered the ceramic. The problem for me doing it on the rgrc was that a couple of dealers said that if I did the bezel swap it would make the watch much harder to sell and I already knew at that point that I would sell the watch to get the platinum 44.


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[masterserg]

Originally Posted by AshAP

I only found out when I sent my rgrc in for service and they offered the ceramic. The problem for me doing it on the rgrc was that a couple of dealers said that if I did the bezel swap it would make the watch much harder to sell and I already knew at that point that I would sell the watch to get the platinum 44.


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On second thought ... ceramic bezel would probably clash with rubber crown and pushers.

[AK797]

I think the Diver is best for you, the CE Diver would be even more ideal if possible.

[Jp28]

If you can a CE diver would be the way to go for you I think.
Great AP finishing, scratch resistant etc

[RHIII]

All fantastic choices (and some of my favs) as well as accompanied by some great advice from some AP veteran owners.

Based on not “babying” - and being your first AP I’d definitely recommend the Diver.

Enjoy the hunt!!

[Burlington]

The APD will handle everything you reasonably throw at it.

It’s a robust, great looking & comfortable watch.

The only caution around ceramic bezels i would throw out is that whilst they are virtually immune to scratching they are more prone to cracks and chipping being more brittle than steel.

So damage like the below on steel is fine, but would probably have necessitated a replacement with CE.

If you like the ROO look, you won’t go wrong with a diver !